Combined bag, seat and stool structure

ABSTRACT

A foldable multi-purpose structure adapted in the folded state to serve as a carry-bag and a two-legged stool, and in the unfolded state as a backed seat. The structure includes a frame having U-shaped major and minor sections, the ends of the legs of the minor section being pivotally connected to the legs of the major section at a point adjacent the feet thereof, the yoke portions of the sections being bent outwardly in opposing directions to define a stool surface. A flexible covering is marginally joined to the legs of the frame to define the seat and back panels, and side-pieces are joined to the legs to provide gussets. A broad strap overlying the stool surface is detachably connected between the back and seat panels to provide a seat for the stool as well as a bag closure.

[ 51 June 13, 1972 [54] COMBINED BAG, SEAT AND STOOL STRUCTURE [72] Inventor: Thomas Rock, 39 Woodland Avenue, East Orange, NJ. 07017 Filed: July 30,1970

I21] Appl.No.: 59,414

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 464,546 5/1951 Italy ..l55/l54 Primary ExaminerBobby R. Gay Assistant Examiner-Garry Moore Atl0rneyMiChael Ebert [57] ABSTRACT A foldable multi-purpose structure adapted in the folded state to serve as a carry-bag and a two-legged stool, and in the unfolded state as a backed seat. The structure includes a frame having U-shaped major and minor sections, the ends of the legs of the minor section being pivotally connected to the legs of the major section at a point adjacent the feet thereof. the yoke portions of the sections being bent outwardly in opposing directions to define a stool surface. A flexible covering is marginally joined to the legs of the frame to define the seat and back panels, and side-pieces are joined to the legs to provide gussets. A broad strap overlying the stool surface is detachably connected between the back and seat panels to provide a seat for the stool as well as a bag closure.

4 Clains, 4 Drawing Figures PATE'HTEDJUH 13 1972 3. 669.489

INVENTOR.

mamas floc BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to combined can'y-cases and seating structures and more particularly to a foldable multi-purpose structure which in the folded state serves both as a beach-bag and as a two-legged stool, and in the unfolded state acts as a beach seat.

Beach activity is very much a part of American life in the coastal regions of the United States. In a typical situation, a family or group of friends will head in a loaded car toward a nearby beach, and park the car in a lot which is usually a fair distance from the beach. At this point, the problem of portage arises, for one usually comes to the beach with blankets, sandals, magazines, thermos bottles, play balls and sundry other articles. Also, since it is uncomfortable to sit directly on the sand, one may also bring folding seats or chairs.

Because of the jumble of articles involved, the trek from the parking lot to the beach is often accompanied by the fallingapart of temporary bundles, the loss of articles and other disconcerting experiences. When returning from the beach to the parking lot, one is again faced with the problem of gathering together the articles for portage.

There are, of course, beach-bags available which are intended for carrying assorted articles. Various forms of foldable seats also exist which are more or less suitable for beach use. But even then, one must carry the bags and seats to the beach, and this too is often inconvenient. Attempts have been made to combine beach-bags and seats, but combined structures of the type disclosed in the prior art are generally impractical, for the efiiciency of the seat is to some extent sacrificed to meet the requirements for a bag, and vice versa, and the combination is neither a satisfactory seat nor a good carrybag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, it is the main object of this invention to provide a multi-purpose foldable structure capable of acting as a carry-bag, a seat having a back, and as a two-legged stool.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a light-weight and efficient structure of the above type which in the folded state serves both as a commodious carry-bag and as a two-legged stool, and in the unfolded state, with the articles removed, acts as a backed seat.

Among the significant features of the invention are that the bag includes side gussets which not only afiord a support for the back frame of the seat, but also provide additional space for carrying objects too large to be enclosed in the bag, and that the seat includes free moving support plates to provide bearing surfaces on soft ground.

Briefly stated, in a combined structure according to the invention, there is provided a foldable frame having U-shaped major and minor sections, the ends of the legs of the minor section being pivotally connected to the legs of the major section at a point adjacent the feet thereof, the yoke portions of the sections being bent outwardly in opposite directions to define a stool surface. Marginally joined to the legs of the frame is a covering defining seat and back panels, side-pieces being joined to the legs to provide gussets. A broad strap overlying the stool surface and detachably connected between the panels affords both a closure for the bag as well as a seat for the stool.

OUTLINE OF THE DRAWING For a better understanding of the invention, as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective a multi-purpose bag, seat and stool structure in accordance with the invention, the structure being shown in the folded state;

FIG. 2 shows the structure in the unfolded state;

FIG. 3 illustrates the basic frame of the structure;

FIG. 4 is a detail of the frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawing, a combined structure in accordance with the invention includes a frame formed of aluminum tubing or other frame material of good strength, the frame being constituted by a major section, generally designated by numeral 10, and a minor section, generally designated by numeral 11.

Major section 10 is U-shaped and is formed by legs 10A and 10B temiinating in feet 10C and 10D which are covered by rubber or flexible plastic sockets l2 and 13. The yoke portion 10E of the major section is bent outwardly at right angles to legs 10A and 10B thereof. Minor section 11 is identical to the major section except that its legs 11A and 11B are shorter, the ends thereof being pivotally connected to the legs 10A and 10B of major section 10 just above feet 10C and 10D by means of metal links 14 and 15. The major section of the frame is reinforced by a cross-bar 17. The yoke portion 115 of the minor section is bent outwardly in a direction opposed to that of yoke portion 10E of the major section to define a rectangular stool surface.

Pivotally connected to legs 10A and 10B of the major section are annular bearing plates 18 and 19 which, in the event feet 10C and 10D sink soft ground, such as sand or dirt, afford a stable bearing surface to anchor the seat or stool.

A rectangular piece of canvas, cloth or flexible plastic material is marginally sewn or otherwise secured to legs 10A and 10B of the major section and to legs 11A and 11B of the minor section to define a seat panel 20 and a rear panel 21 when the structure is unfolded as shown in FIG. 2 and to define the front and rear walls of a bag when the structure is folded as shown in FIG. 1, the junction area of the panels serving as the bottom of the bag.

Joined between legs 10A and 1 1A is a triangular piece 22 of flexible material, such as canvas or plastic, and similarly joined between legs 10B and 11B is a triangular piece 23. In the folded state, as shown in FIG. 1, these pieces act as gussets, which, when the bag is used to carry small articles, may be pushed inwardly. But for articles which are too large to be housed within the bag, such as tennis rackets or baseball bats, the gussets may be pulled out in the manner shown in FIG. 1 to afford open pockets for receiving these oversize articles.

Also provided is a broad strap 24, one end of which is sewn or otherwise permanently attached to rear panel 21. As shown in FIG. 1, strap 24 overlies the stool surface and is detachably connected by snap fasteners 25 to the seat panel 20. When so connected, the strap serves not only to close the carry-bag, but it also affords a seat for the two-legged stool. To facilitate carrying, strap 24 is provided with a flat handle 26 of flexible material.

Thus in the folded state, as shown in FIG. 1 the bag may be filled with beach or other articles, and in this state, when the strap is closed, the structure may be used as a two-legged stool. When unfolded, as shown in FIG. 2, the resultant seat has a back which is supported at the proper angle by sidepieces 22 and 23, the seat being slightly elevated above ground by yoke portion 11E of the minor frame section. This elevation is important, for the seat 20 does not lie on the ground but raises the sitter thereabove to afford greater comfort.

While there has been shown and described a preferred embodiment of the structure of the invention, it will be appreciated that many changes and modifications may be made therein without, however, departing from the essential spirit of I the invention.

I claim:

1. A combined bag, stool and seat structure comprising:'

A. a foldable frame having U-shaped major and minor sections whose yoke portions are bent outwardly in opposing directions to define a stool surface when the frame is folded, the ends of the legs of the minor section being pivotally connected to the legs of the major section at a point about the feet thereof, the bent out yoke portion of the minor section serving to elevate the seat when the frame is opened,

B. a flexible covering marginally joined to the legs of the major and minor sections to define a back panel and a 5 seat panel, the junction area of the panels forming the bottom of a bag,

C. side pieces joining the legs of the frame to form expandable gussets, and

D. a strap permanently connected to the back panel and detachably connected to the seat panel and overlying the 

1. A combined bag, stool and seat structure comprising: A. a foldable frame having U-shaped major and minor sections whose yoke portions are bent outwardly in opposing directions to define a stool surface when the frame is folded, the ends of the legs of the minor section being pivotally connected to the legs of the major section at a point about the feet thereof, the bent out yoke portion of the minor section serving to elevate the seat when the frame is opened, B. a flexible covering marginally joined to the legs of the major and minor sections to define a back panel and a seat panel, the junction area of the panels forming the bottom of a bag, C. side pieces joining the legs of the frame to form expandable gussets, and D. a strap permanently connected to the back panel and detachably connected to the seat panel and overlying the stool surface to provide a seat therefor as well as a bag closure when the frame is folded.
 2. A structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said side pieces are triangular to form side pockets.
 3. A structure as set forth in claim 1, further including bearing plates pivotally connected to the legs of the major section above the feet thereof.
 4. A structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said frame is formed of aluminum tubing. 